Proactive budget process proposed

Nanci G. Hutson

Updated 10:43 pm, Thursday, October 4, 2012

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Money talks
The Legislative Council is considering either Oct. 17 or Nov. 2 for a joint meeting with the Board of Selectmen, Board of Finance and Board of Education to begin talks on the budget process.

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NEWTOWN -- With the memory of an anguish-producing budget season still fresh, the Board of Selectmen this week accepted an invitation by the Legislative Council to bring together town and school leaders to talk about how the budget process will move forward this year.

First Selectman Pat Llodra said the council wants to bring together the Board of Selectmen, Board of Finance, Board of Education and council for a preliminary conversation before the budget process gets into full swing in the beginning of 2013. The intent is to ensure that all parties present materials, so residents get a clear picture of the proposals.

The 2012 town and school budget -- $106.2 million -- was not approved until the fifth referendum in July.

Selectman William Rodger said he will participate, but was candid that he is not usually a "fan'' of such meetings, because he does not think it is fair to the taxpayers to preordain the outcome of the budget process.

Llodra and Selectman James Gaston, though, said they see this as more of an educational forum to avoid the struggles that pitted residents against each other this past year.

Llodra said the council wants to help lead the process to "a better outcome'' than what has happened in past years.

She said all the boards want to offer a "consistent message'' about revenues, economic pressures and needs of the town and schools, so that taxpayers can make an informed evaluation of the budget prior to their vote.

"I applaud their effort,'' Llodra said.

In other business, Finance Director Robert Tait said he wants the selectmen to consider moving away from a defined benefit pension plan for new, non-union employees to a defined contribution plan. He said these new plans are not so much about saving money or cutting benefits to employees but rather offer municipalities a chance to plan better what they will be contributing to the annual pension accounts.